Ranchi: The Adani group has completed the acquisition of more than 95 per cent of land required to begin the first phase of work for a 1,600MW power plant in Godda.

However, the company is reluctant to immediately take over the identified land in Gaighat and Sondiha villages of Poreyahat block even though all mandatory formalities for the transfer of land have been completed.

"We had identified 229.65 acres in Gaighat and 168.17 acres in Sondiha. After completing all mandatory formalities such as social impact assessment and securing the consent of at least 80 per cent of gram sabha members and individual land owners, the company was asked to take over the land after depositing the due compensation amount on March 24 last year. But the company said that it was not keen on the plots anymore. On August 30 this year, the order to nullify the acquisition of these plots of the land was notified. Now if they want to acquire them again, the entire acquisition process will have to begin afresh," Godda additional collector Anil Tirkey, who is overseeing the land acquisition work, said.

On the status of the already acquired land, Tirkey said 171.84 acres, 171.48 acres and 4.31 acres have been acquired in Motia, Gangta and Patwa villages, respectively, in Godda block.

In Mali village of Poreyahat block, 166.40 acres have been acquired.

In Motia, 516 land donors out of 525, in Gangta 482 among 503, in Patwa 56 among 60 and in Mali 230 of 240 have accepted the compensation.

"In short, more than 95 per cent of the total land owners have collected their compensation amount. The rest are also welcome to collect their due at the earliest. These land, including the ones belonging to those who have not accepted the compensation, have been transferred to the Adani group after completing mandatory formalities," he added.

He, however, remained evasive when asked whether there was a possibility of defiant owners refusing to part with their land.

Recently, a handful of raiyats had staged protest outside Raj Bhavan alleging forceful acquisition.

Tirkey said officially the land belonged to the Adani group.

"The rest is for the company and Godda district administration to decide," he added.

A senior executive of Adani group, who is taking care of groundwork in Godda, said a consultancy firm from China was actively engaged in site-enabling work.

"The face of Godda is changing steadily. One may soon become a millionaire by just setting up a good Chinese food joint here. Those opposed to this project should understand that the proposed power plant would boost the local economy in multiple ways," he added.